Dear DDH parent. An open letter to hip dysplasia families

I’d never planned to write this post. I didn’t jot down initial ideas in drafts, waiting for a spare hour to so to let the words flow. Or plan a post around an event, purchase or pretty picture. It’s come from my streams of tears (the happy kind) in a massively long queue in Primark after receiving the most beautiful letter from a fellow DDH parent.

So here goes…

Dear DDH parent,

You will never know what your kind words mean to me. The beautiful messages that you send weekly really lift my spirits and give me that warm, fuzzy feeling.

When I started to document our hip dysplasia journey, it was simply my way of coping. Emptying my head in the hope it would ease my fears. My type of therapy.

I’d googled every hip associated word but only landed on one UK blog (Pondering Parenthood) who, after one teary 2am message, eased some of my fears. But being the control freak I am, I needed more. I can never get enough information- I’m all or nothing. And I know some of you are too.

So my outpourings became a way of giving something back. A place to gain an insight into life with a baby with DDH and someone to connect with over what can feel like a lonely place.

During our journey, Instagram became by retreat. Fellow DDH mums supporting each other in daily DMs, sharing experiences and tips. And now, nearing a year later, I’m finding parents reaching out to me, simply from finding this blog. Which truly makes my day.

Because I get you. I get the anxiety, the fear and the guilt of feeling that way.

I know that knot in your stomach when people stare at your harnessed baby.

I understand that you’re keeping your head down at baby classes, so you don’t see the other parents faces, wondering what’s wrong with them.

I know how important numbers and angles are and why 60 in our magic number.

I’ll always see a bread knife as a tool to cut up a Bumbo.

I understand the excitement of finding M&S clothes after weeks of people rolling their eyes at the frustration of having no nice clothes for your little one.

I feel your pain of walking for miles to avoid a car seat pressing thighs together and out of a frog like position.

And I know the joy you’ll feel when they are given the all clear.

I know the hope you’ll feel from reading our one and five year updates.

(Which you can read here Our Hip Dysplasia journey- One Year On from the Pavlik Harness – Flicks and Red Lips and here Hip Dysplasia update- Five years on from the Pavlik harness – Flicks and Red Lips.

I know what your going through, and I want you to know that I’m always here to talk,

That I can promise you.

Sian x

You can find me for hip chats over on Instagram @flicks_and_red_lips